Device for the incremental advancement of a label tape

ABSTRACT

A device for the incremental advancement of a label tape includes a carrier rocker arm mounted for pivotal movement upon a frame and carrying a pivoted latch juxtaposed with a jaw member for gripping the label tape during advancement of the rocker arm and releasing the label tape during retraction of the rocker arm. A lock pawl is carried by a pivoted link and engages the label tape to preclude retraction thereof during retraction of the rocker arm.

United States Patent 91 [111 3,883,058

Schrotz et al. May 13, 1975 DEVICE FOR THE INCREMENTAL [56] References Cited ADVANCEMENT OF A LABEL TAPE UNITED STATES PATENTS [75] Inventors: Kurt Schrotz; Werner Becker, both 2,073,507 3/1937 Weimont 226/53 X of Hirschhorn, Germany 3,795,356 3/1973 Orthen 226/58 [73] Assignee: Dymo Industries, Inc., San

Francisco Calif Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher Attorney, Agent, or FirmSamuelson & Jacob [22] Filed: Apr. 17, 1974 21 App]. No.: 461,640 ABSTRACT A device for the incremental advancement of a label [30] Foreign Application Priority Data tape includes a carrier rocker arm mounted for pivotal movement upon a frame and carrying a pivoted latch Apl'. 2], 1973 Germany 2320333 juxtaposed a j Ynernber for the label tape during advancement of the rocker arm and re- U-S. Cl. leasing the label p d g retraction f the rocker 226/128 arm. A lock pawl is carried by a pivoted link and engages the label tape to preclude retraction thereof 226/127 128, 67 68 during retraction of the rocker arm.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 2 5i 3 [GT 51 r I 38/ l 3 um e o 48 x 35 19, 37 A0 2s I \J as 11 15 FMENIEU W 1 3 $75 SHEET 2 W Q FIGZ DEVICE FOR THE INCREMENTAL ADVANCEMENT OF A LABEL TAPE The present invention relates to a device for the incremental advancement of a label tape.

ln known similar devices, a hinged gripping latch on a slide member operates in cooperation with a clamping surface of a skid, which, together with the slide member, can be reciprocated along the path of travel of the label tape. The latch includes a gauge feeler which enters an opening in the label tape between a gripping edge on the latch and the clamping surface such that the label tape is clamped, and thereby carried in the desired direction of travel. So that the feeler can fall into the openings of the label tape and thereby gauge the appropriate increment to be advanced, the feeler is shaped in the form ofa finger, the end of which rests on the label tape in juxtaposition with the clamping surface.

Such known devices have certain disadvantages. For example, the slide member, together with the skid, is confined to movement in the body of the device along a track which guides the label tape along a straight line path of travel. Further, the label tape can be inserted between the gripping latch and the skid only with difficulty. A still further disadvantage is that when using a flat gripping latch, a label tape of smooth material is not effectively clamped and when using a gripping latch at a steep angle to the path of travel of the tape the latch clamps up tightly and will not release the tape with ease.

In the present device, at least one gauge finger and several sharp latch teeth are provided on the gripping latch and the label tape rests on an even, securely placed guide surface of a jaw member juxtaposed with the path of travel of the latch teeth, and on which are located longitudinal grooves corresponding with the gauge finger, or feeler, and the latching teeth, in position to receive the finger and teeth when the latch is in the clamping position.

In order to prevent retraction of the label tape upon retraction of the gripping latch, the device is provided with a self-releasing pivoted lock pawl having sharp holding teeth, the lock pawl opening in the direction of travel of the label tape and being biased toward the closed position by a spring.

Insertion of the label tape in the device is facilitated by a guide plate which extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of travel of the label tape and is pivoted upon an axle to enable easy access to the prescribed path of travel of the tape through the body of the device.

In the present device, the above described disadvantages are overcome. In addition, it has been found in earlier devices that during movement of the label tape along the guide plate, relatively many sticky particles that had remained adhered to the carrier portion of the tape happen to settle in the vicinity of the slide member, so that after continued use, such a traveling mechanism does not work reliably and must be cleaned out periodically.

Objects of the invention are to provide a device for the incremental advancement, or drawing off, ofa label carrier tape that will overcome the disadvantages of the present advancing devices, and which, in spite of a most simplified operation, offers reliable performance while accommodating various grades of tape and kinds of adhesive materials and affording easy insertion of the label carrier tape.

The above objects are attained by the invention which provides a rocker arm mounted for reciprocating movement about a pivotal axis and carrying a gripping latch and a narrow jaw member juxtaposed with the path of travel of the label tape. The rocker arm includes two parallel legs, the ends of which are solidly joined to the jaw member.

The latch includes latch teeth and clamping ridges which, after the latch teeth have penetrated the label tape, clamp the tape securely between the clamping ridges and a clamping surface of the jaw member. The clamping ridges work in such a way that even when the tape tears slightly at the points where penetrated by the latch teeth, the clamping ridges can exert the necessary advancing forces upon the tape.

In order to assure that the label tape, and further, a label which has reached the print or dispense site, remain exactly in that position until the next feed increment, a lock pawl is mounted at the free end of a pivoted link which is biased toward a locking position by means of a spring such that upon the movement of the rocker arm in the direction of advancement of the tape after the gripping latch falls into the gripping position, the pivoted link is lifted from the rocker arm over a drive surface and upon termination of movement of the rocker arm in the advancing direction the pivoted link is released and biased into the locking position. When the rocker arm is retracted, such movement exerts no influence upon the pivoted link by virtue of a spring biased drive latch which permits return of the rocker arm without movement of the pivoted link. When the gripping latch of the rocker arm grips the label carrier tape, the pivoted link will be lifted so that the latch teeth are not released from the label tape until the rocker arm completes its movement in the advancing direction.

The advancement of the label tape is arranged in such a manner that in the withdrawing of the tape the least possible frictional force is needed. There is the danger, however, in this connection, that when a label is in the dispensing position and the trailing end of the label is still adhered slightly to the carrier tape or to the next consecutive label, the label tape may be pushed a little forward, and the label to be printed will not be located in the correct printing position. In order to overcome such a disadvantage, a clamp arm is provided and is held in clamping position by a spring. The label tape passes between a clamp surface of the clamp arm and an abutment. Upon advancing movement of the rocker arm, the clamp arm opens and remains open until just before the rocker arm terminates its pivotal motion in the direction of travel of the tape.

The clamping of the label tape between the clamping surface of the clamping arm and the abutment shortly before the carrier rocker arm has completed its advancing movement assures that the label tape is tensioned between the clamp site and the gripping latch and the label carrier tape with the labels thereon remains taut on a flat printing surface.

The following is a detailed description of two embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawing. In the drawing:

FIG. I is a sectioned side view of a label printing and applying mechanism with a label tape advancing device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged crosssectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IIIIII of FIG 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IVIV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing another embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, which is a handoperated labelling mechanism, the device for the incremental advancement of a label carrier tape 1 includes a carrier rocker arm 3 mounted on a frame for oscillating pivotal movement in a chamber 2 about axle 4 located in chamber 2. Rocker arm 3 has a latch 6 mounted for pivotal movement about axle 5 and biased by spring 7 such that latch teeth 8 are urged against the portion of tape 1 located on a guide surface 9 of jaw member 10. Adjacent the latch 6 are gauge feelers 11 arranged to intercept edge openings of the label carrier tape 1. When the gauge feelers 11 enter an opening in the tape 1, the latch teeth 8 engage the tape 1.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, grooves 12 are located in jaw member and correspond with latch teeth 8. In addition, deeper grooves 13 are provided, within which gauge feelers 11 will enter when they fall into the openings of label carrier tape 1. The latch also includes clamping ridges 14 adjacent teeth 8 which, after the latch teeth 8 have penetrated the label tape, clamp the tape securely between the clamping ridges and the guide surface 9 of jaw member 10.

A lock pawl 15 is provided with holding teeth 16 and is pivotally mounted upon an axle 17. Lock pawl 15 can be pivoted against the restoring action of a biasing spring 18 which biases the pawl 15 toward the position where a stop 19 locates the pawl for preventing retraction of tape 1 in a direction opposite to the direction of advancement. In order that the holding teeth 16 of the lock pawl 15 hold the tape 1 in precise registration directly after each increment of advancement, the lock pawl 15 is located at the end of a link 20 pivotally mounted upon axle 21. The pivoted link 20 is biased by a spring 22 toward a lock position, that is to say, against a stop 23. Should the carrier rocker arm 3 move clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 1) from an advanced position toward a retracted position, a drive surface 25 affixed to the carrier rocker arm 3 will push against a drive latch 24 which is then rotated against the action of a biasing spring 26 thereby enabling the carrier rocker arm 3 to pass to the retracted position. In that manner the holding teeth 16 remain engaged in the carrier tape to preclude retraction of the tape.

Should the carrier rocker arm 3 be displaced from the retracted position in the direction of travel of the tape, the latch 6 will engage the carrier tape 1 and the drive surface 25 will engage the drive latch 24, whereby the pivoted link 20 will be raised against the bias of the spring 22 and the holding teeth 16 will be made to loosen their grip upon the tape 1. Upon termination of the advancing movement, the drive latch 24 will slide over the end of the drive surface 25 so that the pivoted link 20 will be urged by the spring 22 against the stop 23 and the holding teeth 16 will penetrate the carrier tape 1.

Beyond the lock pawl 15, the label carrier tape 1 rests solidly secured on a guide bridge 27, wherein grooves 28 are provided which correspond with the holding teeth 16. Above the stationary guide bridge 27 a likewise stationary guiding tongue 29 is provided which passes through a window-like opening 30 in the latch 6 and a corresponding opening in the lock pawl 15.

The carrier rocker arm 3 is connected with a manual operating lever 31 which is located upon and rotates around axle 37 in the chamber of the labelling mechanism, the lever having forked walls 32a and 32b between which the carrier rocker arm 3, the pivoted link 20 and a clamp arm 38 are located. On the forked walls 32a and 32b of the manual operating lever 31 there are pins 33 which engage a selector shaft guide 34 in legs 3a and 3b of rocker arm 3. A printing mechanism is located on the free front end of forked walls 320 and 3212 so that when the manual lever is depressed, it prints the label that is located on a printing table 39. At the same time, the carrier rocker arm 3 is urged into a label tape gripping position by the carrier pins 33. When the manual lever 31 is released the restoring spring 36, which engages a pin 35 on the carrier rocker arm 3, will drive the rocker arm in the direction of travel of the tape toward the advanced position. Upon the advancement of an increment of the label carrier tape 1 in that manner, a printed label 43 is presented at a deflector edge 42 and is peeled from the carrier tape 1 to be placed at a dispensing position, beneath an end applicator roller 41.

In order to preclude inadvertent movement of the label carrier tape 1 during application of label 43 or totation of supply roll 44, a clamp arm 38 is provided and has a clamping surface 45 which is urged by the spring 36, which engages pin 35, against the portion of the label tape which is resting on an opposite surface 46 such that the label tape is securely held in place. When the manual lever 31 moves from the depressed position, pin 35, which is located in carrier rocker arm 3 and inside a slot 48 for movement in clamp arm 38, presses against spring 36 so that the clamp arm 38 is set free and the clamping surface 45 rests only lightly upon the label tape to permit advancement thereof.

The printing table 39 with the return edge 42 and the opposite area 47 are portions ofa guide plate 50 which is mounted for pivotal movement about axle 49. To insert the label tape, the guide plate 50 is swung open and the beginning of the label tape 1, coming from the supply roll 44, is guided through guide channel 51, passed beneath the clamp arm 38, led around the return edge 42 and inserted between the jaw member 10 and the guiding tongue 29 until the beginning of the label tape extends beyond the lock pawl 15 and leaves the device. When the beginning of the label tape is thus inserted, the latch 6 and the lock pawl 15 open up automatically. It is not necessary when inserting the label tape to remove the labels from the beginning of the carrier tape 1.

In FIG. 6 there is shown a modified design representing another embodiment of the invention, wherein the component parts are similar to the operating component parts of the hereinbefore described mechanism, and are therefore designated by similar reference characters.

In the mechanism of the embodiment of FIG. 6, no clamp arm is required. The drive latch 24' in this embodiment is carried upon the carrier rocker arm 3' and not on the pivoted link 20', while the drive surface 25' is located on the pivoted link 20'. The retracted position of carrier rocker arm 3' is shown in phantom.

The above detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention are provided by way of example only. Various details of design and construction may be modified without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A device for the incremental advancement of a label carrier tape along a prescribed path of travel, the tape being provided with openings for gauging the advanced increments, said device comprising:

a frame;

a carrier rocker arm pivotally mounted on the frame for oscillatory movement in the general direction of travel of the tape between a retracted position and an advanced position;

a latch on the carrier rocker arm for engaging the tape and advancing increments thereof, the latch including latch teeth for biting into the label carrier tape in response to movement of the latch into a latching position and advancement of the latch in the direction of travel of the tape, a gauge feeler, and means resiliently biasing the gauge feeler such that the gauge feeler will intercept and enter an opening in the label carrier tape and, upon entering into the opening, will enable movement of the latch into the latching position;

a jaw member juxtaposed with the latch teeth, the jaw member having a guide surface for guiding the tape between the latch and the jaw member, the guide surface including grooves corresponding with the latch teeth and the feeler of the latch; and

a lock pawl located along the path of travel of the tape beyond the advanced position of the carrier rocker arm, the lock pawl being mounted on the frame for pivotal movement about an axis between a locking position and a released position, said lock pawl including teeth for engaging the tape in the locking position of the lock pawl and precluding retraction of the tape;

means resiliently biasing the lock pawl toward the locking position; and

means enabling movement of the lock pawl toward the release position in response to advancement of the tape.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the carrier rocker arm includes two parallel legs and the jaw member is integral with and extends between corresponding ends of the legs.

3. The invention of claim 2 including clamping ridges on the latch adjacent the latch teeth for securely gripping the tape between the clamping ridges and the jaw member.

4. The invention of claim 3 including a link mounted upon the frame for pivotal movement between a lowered position and a raised position and wherein the lock pawl is carried by the pivoted link, means resil iently biasing the pivoted link toward the lowered position wherein the lock pawl is in the locking position thereof and cooperative means on the carrier rocker arm and the pivoted link for moving the pivoted link toward the raised position in response to movement of the carrier rocker arm toward the advanced position thereof.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the pivoted link extends generally parallel to the direction of travel of the tape, passes between the legs of the carrier rocker arm and is pivoted about an axis remote from the pivotal axis of the lock pawl.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said cooperative means include:

a drive latch mounted on the pivoted link for move ment between a driving position and a retracted position; and

a drive surface on the carrier rocker arm movable therewith along a path of travel for engaging the drive latch such that the drive latch will be in the drive position to raise the pivoted link in response to advancement of the carrier rocker arm and will be moved to the retracted position to maintain the pivoted link in the lowered position in response to retraction of the carrier rocker arm.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the drive latch is mounted for pivotal movement and projects into the path of travel of the drive surface.

8. The invention of claim 7 including a clamp arm mounted on the frame for movement in response to movement of the carrier rocker arm such that the clamp arm clamps the label carrier tape against move ment during retraction of the carrier rocker arm and releases the label carrier tape during advancement of the carrier rocker arm.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein the clamp arm is mounted for pivotal movement between a clamp position and a release position and is located in the clamp position when the carrier rocker arm is in the advanced position thereof. 

1. A device for the incremental advancement of a label carrier tape along a prescribed path of travel, the tape being provided with openings for gauging the advanced increments, said device comprising: a frame; a carrier rocker arm pivotally mounted on the frame for oscillatory movement in the general direction of travel of the tape between a retracted position and an advanced position; a latch on the carrier rocker arm for engaging the tape and advancing increments thereof, the latch including latch teeth for biting into the label carrier tape in response to movement of the latch into a latching position and advancement of the latch in the direction of travel of the tape, a gauge feeler, and means resiliently biasing the gauge feeler such that the gauge feeler will intercept and enter an opening in the label carrier tape and, uPon entering into the opening, will enable movement of the latch into the latching position; a jaw member juxtaposed with the latch teeth, the jaw member having a guide surface for guiding the tape between the latch and the jaw member, the guide surface including grooves corresponding with the latch teeth and the feeler of the latch; and a lock pawl located along the path of travel of the tape beyond the advanced position of the carrier rocker arm, the lock pawl being mounted on the frame for pivotal movement about an axis between a locking position and a released position, said lock pawl including teeth for engaging the tape in the locking position of the lock pawl and precluding retraction of the tape; means resiliently biasing the lock pawl toward the locking position; and means enabling movement of the lock pawl toward the release position in response to advancement of the tape.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the carrier rocker arm includes two parallel legs and the jaw member is integral with and extends between corresponding ends of the legs.
 3. The invention of claim 2 including clamping ridges on the latch adjacent the latch teeth for securely gripping the tape between the clamping ridges and the jaw member.
 4. The invention of claim 3 including a link mounted upon the frame for pivotal movement between a lowered position and a raised position and wherein the lock pawl is carried by the pivoted link, means resiliently biasing the pivoted link toward the lowered position wherein the lock pawl is in the locking position thereof and cooperative means on the carrier rocker arm and the pivoted link for moving the pivoted link toward the raised position in response to movement of the carrier rocker arm toward the advanced position thereof.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the pivoted link extends generally parallel to the direction of travel of the tape, passes between the legs of the carrier rocker arm and is pivoted about an axis remote from the pivotal axis of the lock pawl.
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said cooperative means include: a drive latch mounted on the pivoted link for movement between a driving position and a retracted position; and a drive surface on the carrier rocker arm movable therewith along a path of travel for engaging the drive latch such that the drive latch will be in the drive position to raise the pivoted link in response to advancement of the carrier rocker arm and will be moved to the retracted position to maintain the pivoted link in the lowered position in response to retraction of the carrier rocker arm.
 7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the drive latch is mounted for pivotal movement and projects into the path of travel of the drive surface.
 8. The invention of claim 7 including a clamp arm mounted on the frame for movement in response to movement of the carrier rocker arm such that the clamp arm clamps the label carrier tape against movement during retraction of the carrier rocker arm and releases the label carrier tape during advancement of the carrier rocker arm.
 9. The invention of claim 8 wherein the clamp arm is mounted for pivotal movement between a clamp position and a release position and is located in the clamp position when the carrier rocker arm is in the advanced position thereof. 